Block and Tackle Pulley Systems and Pulley Advantage, 1M20.11

Abstract:An assortment of four different pulley systems is suspended from a frame showing the principle of mechanical advantage.

Equipment

Location

ID Number

apparatus

ME, Floor Item

1M20.11

Important Setup Notes:

N/A

Setup and Procedure:

Position the rack so that the audience has a good view of all of the pulley systems.

Point out the weights used in each system and discuss the mechanical advantage of the systems.

Cautions, Warnings, or Safety Concerns:

N/A

Discussion:A block and tackle is a system composed of two or more pulleys with a rope or cable threaded between them, usually used to lift or pull heavy loads. Such systems are commonly used in construction and sailing, working by the principle of mechanical advantage(more on this below). The rotation of the pulleys change the direction of an applied force, and they can even reduce the force needed to lift a heavy weight when configured appropriately. This particular assortment of block and tackle systems consists of four configurations, a 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, and 1:6. Each added pair of pulleys doubles the amount of rope one has to pull to lift that weight to the same height.

Mechanical advantage is defined as a ratio of input/output forces: N = Fin / Fout = number of pulley in parallel. For an example, if there are six such pulleys then the mechanical advantage is 6. If tension of 1 N is applied, the output force will be 6 N at the cost of having to pull 6 times as much rope.

Example:

In order to lift the 1lb weight W you have to apply a force of F on the rope equal to the weight W. The rope is now under a tension T equal to the force F. To lift this weight a distance of H=1 ft you will have to pull in a length L= H=1 ft of the rope. The mechanical advantage M is one: M=W/F=1.